Ptilotus decipiens
| Ptilotus decipiens | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Caryophyllales |
| Family: | Amaranthaceae |
| Genus: | Ptilotus |
| Species: | P. decipiens
|
| Binomial name | |
| Ptilotus decipiens | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Ptilotus decipiens, commonly known as false mulla mulla,[2] is a species of flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae and is endemic to inland areas of Australia. It is a dense annual plant or short-lived perennial herb with hairy, elliptic to four-sided or egg-shaped stem leaves, and short, densely packed spikes of whitish flowers.
Description
Ptilotus decipiens is a dense, annual or short-lived perennial herb with many stems, that typically grows to a height of 20 cm (7.9 in) and has stems and leaves that become glabrous with age. The stem leaves are elliptic, four-sided or egg-shaped, 8–35 mm (0.31–1.38 in) long and 5–19 mm (0.20–0.75 in) long, and there are no leaves at the base of the plant. The flower spikes are short, egg-shaped or cylindrical, up to about 25 mm (0.98 in) long and 5–12 mm (0.20–0.47 in) wide and densely packed with whitish flowers with colourless bracts and bracteoles with a prominent midrib. The outer tepals are 3.4–4.5 mm (0.13–0.18 in) longer and the inner tepals 2.5–3.6 mm (0.098–0.142 in) long and there are five fertile stamens.[3][4]
Taxonomy
This species was first formally described in 1870 by George Bentham who gave it the name Alternanthera decipiens in his Flora Australiensis from specimens collected in Queensland.[5] In 1934, Charles Gardner changed the name Ptilotus decipiens in Enumeratio plantarum Australiae occidentalis.[1] The specific epithet (decipiens) means 'deceiving',[6] alluding to the plant's not looking like other species of "Ptilotus".[2]
Distribution and habitat
Ptilotus decipiens grows on rocky or gravelly hills[3] in the Central Ranges, Great Sandy Desert, Pilbara and Tanami bioregions of Western Australia,[4] the southern half of the Northern Territory[3] in South Australia[2] and in Queensland.[1]
Conservation status
Ptilotus decipiens is listed as of "least concern" by the Queensland Government Nature Conservation Act 1992.[7]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "Ptilotus decipiens". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "Ptilotus decipiens". Seeds of South Australia. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "Ptilotus decipiens". Northern Territory Government. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Ptilotus daphneae". FloraBase. Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
- ^ "Alternanthera decipiens". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
- ^ George, Alex; Sharr, Francis (2021). Western Australian Plant Names and Their Meanings (3rd ed.). Kardinya, WA: Four Gables Press. p. 179. ISBN 9780958034180.
- ^ "Species profile—Ptilotus decipiens". Queensland Government Department of Education and Science. Retrieved 14 May 2025.